Katherine Heigl opened up about how giving birth differed from her experiences with adoption, and we love her honesty

Given the complexity and intimate nature of giving birth, women’s experiences with it tend to differ from person to person. Katherine Heigl is a mother of three children — adoptive daughters Naleigh and Adelaide, and son Joshua, who was born last month.

"One minute you’re weirdly obsessed with this baby, like ‘Don’t take him out of my sight,’ and the next you’re kind of blue, you’re a little sad and a little freaked out."

Our emotions can fluctuate just when we’re on our period, so we can’t imagine what those mood swings are like in the weeks after pregnancy! Heigl went on to admit that she prefers adoption, “because I wasn’t subject to hormones.” Again, totally fair.

However, Heigl said she wouldn’t trade the experience of pregnancy for the world.

"But I’m so grateful that I did. I think that if it hadn’t been a surprise, I’m not sure I would have done it. It was an incredible experience, it was kind of magical."

She also added, “I think it all threw me for a loop. For some reason I just felt like it was going to be so hard for me…I have all these stomach issues all the time and my back always hurts. I thought, ‘Oh, pregnancy is going to wreck me, I am going to be one of those women who’s just probably sick the whole time and feels terrible and exhausted.’ [But] I just had a pretty easy experience.”

And apart from the hormonal difference that came with giving birth, Heigl emphasizes that there’s absolutely no difference between her adopted daughters and her biological son. “The moment you hold your child, you’re wholly in love. And you’ll do anything to protect them and shelter them.” By the looks of what little glimpse we have into her life, Heigl seems like a very attentive (and super fun) mom.

Little Joshua is lucky to be born into this stellar family. Life with the new baby is going well, and we’re looking forward to more updates. So much love!